80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
2 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max vs Pirelli Angel ST — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Pirelli Angel ST — better handling, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Angel ST leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 84 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Angel ST leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 83 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Angel ST leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 89 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 78 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Angel ST leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | SportSmart 2 Max | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max | Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 84 |
| Dry | 80 | 84 |
| Wet | 80 | 83 |
| Comfort | 85 | 89 |
| Treadwear | – | 78 |
| Handling | 75 | 81 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max is widely regarded as a highly capable street-focused tire that excels in wet conditions and offers superior stability compared to its competitors. Users appreciate its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring front-end feel, making it a strong choice for daily riders who prioritize safety and versatility over pure track-day performance.
Pros
- Rapid warm-up time on public roads
- Excellent wet weather grip and predictability
- High levels of front-end confidence and stability
- Improved carcass rigidity compared to entry-level sport tires
Cons
- Less aggressive dry-weather cornering performance than dedicated supersport tires
- Not optimized for high-intensity track use
- Potential for a firmer ride due to the stiff carcass construction
Observations
- Recommended primarily for daily riders and lighter motorcycles rather than dedicated track machines.
- Users transitioning from entry-level sport tires report a significant improvement in stability and feedback.
The Pirelli Angel ST is widely regarded as a dependable, versatile sport-touring tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, stability, and longevity. While users generally praise its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring performance in varied conditions, some riders report inconsistent wear patterns and a noticeable drop-off in performance as the tire nears the end of its service life.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Predictable and reliable performance in wet conditions
- Strong longevity for sport-touring applications
- Neutral and responsive steering characteristics
Cons
- Rapid, sudden wear once the tire reaches the end of its tread life
- Requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal operating temperature
- Inconsistent wet-weather performance compared to premium competitors
- Potential for cupping if tire pressures are not strictly managed
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles, such as the Yamaha FJR1300, benefit from running higher-than-factory tire pressures to prevent cupping and improve responsiveness.
- The rear tire performance is noted to be more stable and predictable when the motorcycle is loaded with a passenger and luggage, suggesting the carcass design favors heavier loads.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max | B · Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Dunlop
84
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Angel ST — better handling, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Angel ST scores 81 vs 75 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Angel ST scores 84 vs 80 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Angel ST scores 89 vs 85 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Pirelli Angel ST scores 83 vs 80 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max
Tire B · Pirelli Angel ST
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SportSmart 2 Max also compared with
Pirelli Angel ST also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.